Alupka is a resort town on the southern coast of Crimea, located at the foot of Mount Ai-Petri. The history of the city began back in 960. Then it was under Khazar rule and was called Alubka. Later (in the 14th-15th centuries) the village came under the rule of the Genoese, who owned most of the settlements on the peninsula. They gave him a new name - Lupico.
Interesting fact: Lupiko translates as “fox hole,” and fox holes are known to be underground and well protected from attackers. The city of Lupico was precisely one of the stronghold military points of the Genoese.
At the end of the 15th century, Lupico was captured by the Ottoman Empire. The city was under her rule for almost 100 years. During the Crimean Wars, the peninsula was annexed by the Russian Empire and was transferred to the power of Prince Grigory Potemkin. In 1823, the Alupka territories came into the possession of Prince Mikhail Vorontsov.
Since the beginning of the 20th century, Alupka began to actively develop as a resort; the 20-30s can safely be called “golden” for the city. During this time, as many as 22 health resorts were built in Alupka, which were visited at different times by Fyodor Chaliapin, Valery Bryusov, Maxim Gorky, Ivan Bunin, Lesya Ukrainka, Mikhail Kotsyubinsky, Sergei Rachmaninov and many others. During the Second World War, Alupka suffered from hostilities. Many buildings in the city were destroyed, but the most iconic and important objects remained untouched.
There are many interesting places around Alupka that you can get to in less than an hour: these are Simeiz and its rocks, the palaces of Koreiz, and, of course, Yalta and its Swallow's Nest.
Vorontsov Palace
Alupka is known far beyond the borders of Russia for its palace complex, once built by the Governor-General of Bessarabia and Novorossiysk lands, Count Vorontsov.
In terms of scale and amazing architecture, the palace is not inferior even to French or, say, English castles, and, as you know, France and England are famous for their ancient palaces.
Palace address: Alupka, Palace Highway 10.
You can get there:
1. From Yalta (it is located closest to Alupka among other resort towns in Crimea), taking minibus No. 102,107, 115 or No. 32. You need to get off at the Vorontsov Park stop.
Travel time will be about 25 minutes (17 km). Minibuses run from the very center of Yalta and from the bus station. From the stop you need to walk (10 minutes) to the entrance to the palace complex. 2. You can also take a regular boat directly to Alupka. The boat departs every 2 hours from the Yalta river station. The boat docks right next to the park that surrounds the Vorontsov Palace. You need to go straight up from the pier, and you will immediately find yourself in the backyard of the palace itself. However, by sea transport it will take a little longer – 35 minutes. And if there is no storm. The cost of a boat ticket will be 100 rubles. for one person. But for a minibus it’s only 30 rubles. But you won’t find such romance as on a boat floating on the waves!
3. If you decide to get to Alupka by your own car, then from Yalta you need to move along the Yalta-Sevastopol highway. In about 15 minutes you will see a sign - “Alupka”.
The Vorontsov Palace is open seven days a week. The ticket office is open from 09:00 to 16:00, and on Saturday from 09:00 to 19:00. On the territory of the palace, in addition to the sightseeing tour, there are separate thematic exhibitions. Tickets for these are sold separately! Weekends for visiting exhibitions: Monday, Wednesday, Saturday.
Cost of a sightseeing (main) tour of the Vorontsov Palace: 300 rubles. (adult ticket) and 150 rub. (children's). Thematic exhibitions vary in cost. The price for each of them is set separately and ranges from 50 to 100 rubles. for an adult ticket and from 25 to 55 rubles. for children's Photo and video shooting is free.
Telephone number of the tour department of the Vorontsov Palace: 4 (on weekdays, from 09:00 to 17:00).
Tours of the palace begin every two hours. If you go on your own, you will have to wait for the group to gather.
The second option is to travel, for example, from Yalta itself, as part of an excursion group with a guide. Such tours are sold in every travel agency in Yalta. It will cost 500 or 1000 rubles. more expensive (depending on what is included in the tour).
However, most tourists are sure that it is easier to get there on their own, not as part of a tour group. It will be cheaper, and no one will rush you.
What can be seen in the Vorontsov Palace and why it is worth visiting
The building was designed and built over almost 20 years, with interruptions. An Odessa architect began to draw it. And it was completed by the Englishman Edward Blora. The palace was built on a mixture of a variety of architectural movements (Gothic, neo-Moorish, English styles).
The palace is unique in that it was built according to the terrain, emphasizing every curve of the land and hills on which it stands.
The stone used in construction was diabase. It is so durable that it is superior to granite. But at the same time, work with it must be carried out with pinpoint precision.
The interior decoration of the rooms is interesting; they resemble knights' chambers. It is noteworthy that the interior has been completely recreated as it was under Count Vorontsov.
Be sure to visit the exhibitions and expositions. Here are presented personal belongings of the Vorontsov family, paintings, life of that time, etc.
Of course, excursions are exhausting. Therefore, you should end your day in a cafe or restaurant near the palace.
For example, within walking distance from the main entrance to the palace complex (200 meters) you can find the following establishments:
- Cafe "Kalinka". Address: Alupka, st. Amet-Khana Sultana 17A. Menu: Russian cuisine. Average check: 500 rub.;
- restaurant "Trattoria Balcone". Address: Alupka, st. Frunze 2/4. The menu will surprise you with Italian dishes and excellent soft drinks. Average check: 800 rub.;
- dining room-cafe “Magnolia” (on the ground floor of the Guest House “Magnolia”). Address: Alupka, st. Park Descent 6. This cafe is the most affordable in terms of prices. Average check: 300 rub. Cuisine – Russian, European.
Entertainment
Dreamwood Amusement Park
Address: Yalta, p. Opolznevoye, st. Generala Ostryakov, 9A Phone: Website: https://dreamwoodpark.com/ Opening hours: 11:00 - 20:00 Tue-Sun Cost: entrance ticket - 1400 rubles, children under 4 years old - free How to get there: from Yalta by bus No. 128 (stop “Sanatorium “Dawns of Russia”), then walk to the checkpoint of the Mriya Resort & SPA hotel, and from there take a free transfer.
The entire territory of the Park is divided into four zones or, as they are called here, Areas: Forest, Mountains, Water and Wind. Each Area has themed playgrounds and attractions.
The Wind area is for those who love thrills. Here you can rise 11 meters above the ground on the Ivy attraction. And then ride along the rails on the flying Kon-Tiki log. Older children and adults will enjoy these attractions.
For kids, the Park has playgrounds and the Flower Carousel attraction - together with funny hedgehogs you can ride across the flower lawn and try yourself in the role of mischievous gardeners. And they will be completely delighted with the small but cozy water park in the Water Area.
For older kids, Dreamwood has prepared real “Squeal-Splash” water cannons , where you can ride on boats.
“Mountains” area , you can visit an ancient mine of the 18th century, where nuggets are mined (and find your “precious” stone), ride in jeeps wearing virtual reality helmets and take part in a real safari, and in the evening see the eruption of a volcano, which is visible from anywhere Dreamwood amusement park.
In the Forest , you can test your dexterity and courage in the rope park - this is a route with obstacles through trees of varying difficulty levels.
Also here you can learn how a tree transmits sounds and talk on a “log phone”, see how inertia works and move a five-ton rock, learn to play mini-golf, and also watch or even take part in a play on the forest stage .
In case of bad weather, there is a Dome . There is a restaurant, dry slide slides, quest rooms and a robot league where you can learn the basics of robotics, and for the little ones in the “Dome” there is a mother and child room and an interactive area “Forest of Miracles” with many educational games and entertainment.
Tips and useful information for those planning to visit Dreamwood Park
Theater of sea animals “Aquatoria”
Address: Vinogradnoye village, Bakhchisarai highway, 17A Performance schedule: daily at 11:00, 16:00 and 18:00 Ticket price: from 400 to 1000 rubles
This is not just a dolphinarium, but a real theater whose actors are sea animals.
At the Aquatoria Marine Animal Theater they stage real performances with costumes, scenery and other attributes. Dolphins, walruses, fur seals and beluga whales perform there. On special occasions, performances in the theater end with fireworks or a fire show.
The theater exists on the basis of a research center that studies the life of marine inhabitants and their influence on humans. So in “Aquatoria” you can not only watch a show, but also undergo dolphin therapy or listen to interesting lectures about animals.
Day visit to Mriya Resort & SPA
Address: Yalta, p. Opolznevoye, General Ostryakov Street, 9 Phone: Website: https://mriyaresort.com/dream-day/ Opening hours: Mon-Sun 08:00 - 22:00 Cost (season/off-season):
- Adult with meals – 9,000 rubles/6,000 rubles.
- Adult without meals – 6,000 rubles/3,000 rubles.
- Children's with meals – 6,000 rub. / 3,000 rub.
- Children without food – 3000 rub. / 1500 rub.
Check the exact cost on the website or by phone.
There are an incredible number of interesting and beautiful places in Crimea. You can come here again and again, and there will still be items on your tourist checklist that are a must-see. The large-scale resort complex Mriya Resort & SPA has been one of these places for a long time. Many people know it as a hotel, although you can visit it without staying. Available to all guests and residents of the peninsula.
Relax in the SPA center, swim in the pool, sunbathe on the modern beach, stroll along the paths of the Japanese Garden or try yourself in a rope camp. Sounds like a good plan for a long vacation, but at Mriya Resort & SPA you can get all these experiences in just one day!
“Dream Day” is a day when you can walk around the complex from morning until evening, use its services - there will be entertainment for every family member.
Includes visits to many locations of the complex:
- indoor and outdoor swimming pools
- spa zones: Finnish and cedar saunas, hammam in the SPA center
- beach area
- Japanese Garden "Six Senses"
- gym and scheduled group training
- entertainment center Metropolis
- children's amusement park Dreamwood
- Winepark
- children's club and games room (children over 4 years old are allowed to stay without parents)
- concerts of invited stars, events on the day of the visit (according to the poster on the website)
- meals: depending on the ticket category, meals at the Azurr Swedish line restaurant may be included.
You can also visit one of the 8 bars and restaurants located on the territory of the complex. At your service: European, Italian, Mediterranean, Asian and of course local, Crimean cuisine.
Vorontsovsky Park
This park is surrounded by the palace of Count Vorontsov. It spreads over 40 hectares. It was created back in the 19th century by the German Karl Kebach.
The uniqueness of the park is that you will find exotic plants (about 200 species) specially planted here. The park also attracts visitors with its fountains, commissioned by the count.
Tourists are also delighted with the South Terrace. On it, marble lions “bask” regally under the Crimean sun. The sculpture was made by V. Bonnani.
Getting to the park is exactly the same as getting to the Vorontsov Palace. This is a single museum complex. You can walk around the park for free. However, tourists note that the excursion will be more educational.
Its cost: 100 rubles. (for an adult) and 50 rub. (for a child). Tours start at 11:00, 13:00 and 15:00. The group consists of 20 people. You can have a snack in the same cafes that are listed in the “Vorontsov Park” section.
Story
The first mentions of Alupka date back to Byzantine times (late 10th century). In the 14th and 15th centuries there was an outpost of the Genoese here. Then, until the 17th century, the Ottomans ruled on the southern coast of Crimea.
Streets of Alupka
In the 18th century (after the annexation of Crimea to the Russian Empire) there was a settlement of Crimean Tatars here. At the beginning of the 20th century, Alupka began to develop as a climatic resort. In 1938, the settlement received city status.
Cross Mountain
Above Alupka rises Krestovaya Mountain, almost 300 m high. From the height of the mountain you can see all the beauty of the Crimean nature.
In addition, there is healing air, magnificent scenery and an easy climb up the mountain. Empress Alexandra Feodorovna once installed a Christian wooden cross on the mountain. This is how the name Krestovaya came about.
The mountain is also unique in its history. There are remains of a Taurus settlement and an ancient fortress built in the 12th-13th centuries.
Once upon a time, this Alupka-Isar fortress was a reliable defense against the attacks of nomads. The fortress was built by the Romans. Today you can wander among the remains of the walls and foundations of the fortress.
The climb up the mountain will take approximately 30-40 minutes. There is a country walking road here. But there are crevices, so it’s better not to turn off the main path.
The mountain is located 1 km from Alupka. You can get there along the South Coast Highway, which starts from Yalta. After passing the turn to Miskhor, you will see an OKKO gas station. Immediately after the gas station there is a right turn. This is the beginning of the path up the mountain. The road is blocked by a barrier. Next, you should begin your journey on foot, leaving the car.
If you take a minibus from Yalta, then go No. 27,32,36. The driver just needs to be asked to stop at the turn to Krestovaya Gora.
There are no paid excursions to Krestovaya Mountain. But visiting the mountain on your own is definitely worth it. As for food, the nearest cafes will be only in Alupka itself.
How to get there
The nearest airport is located in Simferopol, which has direct connections with Moscow and St. Petersburg. The nearest railway station is in the city of Sevastopol, where trains go from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg and many other cities.
How to get to Alupka:
- from Simferopol: first get to Yalta station.
- from Yalta: minibus No. 132 (from the city center) or bus No. 102 (from the bus station), as well as buses 107 and 115 from the Yalta bus station to the Alupka bus station.
- from Sevastopol: take the “Sevastopol-Yalta” bus to the “Pitomnik” stop, cross to the other side of the road and take bus No. 1A to the “Alupki Bus Station” stop or take a direct bus to Alupka.
Night in Alupka
Temple of Alexander Nevsky
The temple was opened back in 1913 in honor of Alexander III and his heavenly patron Alexander Nevsky. During Soviet times, the temple did not function. But since 1996, restoration has been carried out here and worship has been resumed.
It is believed that the temple is installed on a holy place. Hundreds of pilgrims come here every year. This temple is a must visit for everyone who considers themselves a believer. The architecture of the temple itself and its interior decoration, as well as the centuries-old icons, are amazing.
The nearest cafe where you can have a snack after visiting the temple is
the Central Cafe , on Lenin Square.
To find it, just leave the temple and move up the street. In 5-7 minutes you will be there. Average check of the establishment: 300 rubles. Menu - local national cuisine.
Address: Alupka, st. Lenina 60. You can get there by minibus number 10. The temple is located in the western part of Alupka.
Stop: "Cape Verde". The temple is located right two hundred meters from the bus stop. Crosses and domes can be seen as you approach the place.
Tasting room "Massandra"
Connoisseurs of this noble drink can visit the wine tasting room. It is located at the address: Palace Highway, 26. It was opened back in 1936. Here you will be offered to try famous Crimean wines, including rare varieties. Estimated cost* of tasting: from 170 to 600 rubles.
*prices may change, check at the box office
Amet-Khan Sultan Museum
Amet-Khan Sultan is a representative of the Crimean Tatar people, who became a Hero of the USSR during the Great Patriotic War.
Why is it worth visiting the museum? Today, the history of the victories of the Soviet army and the feats of our ancestors is so quickly forgotten, and therefore it is very important to teach the younger generation heroism through the examples of real heroes. Amet-Khan was such a hero.
He was born in Alupka, and at the age of 19 he went to fight the Nazis. Amet-Khan was a pilot, and in the museum they will tell you about his victorious and unequal battles in the sky with the aces of German aviation.
The museum also has unique exhibits from the war years and an exhibition telling the history of military aviation. The visit will be interesting for families with children.
Address: Alupka, st. Yaltinskaya 22. From March to August, inclusive, the museum is open from 10:00 to 21:00. And from September to February, opening hours are 10:00-18:00.
You can get there by minibus No. 10, which runs around Alupka. And you can even walk from the center of Alupka (it takes 5 minutes).
You can grab a bite to eat at the following places nearby:
- Cafe "Through the Looking Glass" Address: Alupka, Frunze St. 2;
- cafe "Karamba". Address: Alupka, st. Frunze 6.
Hotels
People often come to the small Crimean town for sanatorium holidays and treatment. At the same time, there are a lot of ordinary tourists here who devote 1 or several days to staying in Alupka. If you are planning a trip for 1 day, then you don’t have to check into the hotel. For a longer trip, you should book a hotel room in advance.
Thanks to the developed infrastructure, the city has many small hotels and hostels. One of the cheapest options is the Mare Nero Hotel. It is located at Frunze Street 1A. There are 14 rooms of different levels, good service, and the cost of accommodation for 1 night starts from 353 rubles. At this establishment you can additionally book a tour of the city’s outskirts.
Elling Helen Hotel offers guests a choice of bungalows, apartments or studios. This hotel is located at Lenina Street 35B. The cost of accommodation for 1 night here is from 3,481 rubles. Additionally, you can organize diving, fishing, snorkeling.
Museum and obelisk of the Govyrin brothers
Alexander and Vladimir Govyrin created a partisan group during the occupation of Crimea by the Nazis.
They fought desperately and heroically against the Germans. But they were caught and executed in 1942. Their young age, patriotism and courage are worthy of respect.
In 1957, the brothers were reburied, and a monument was erected over the grave.
Address:
Alupka, st. Primorskaya 12. Right in the center of Alupka. Landmark - bus station. The obelisk and grave are located in the park.
Dacha Golubka
A small house in the city center is built of shell rock and diorite. The name “Golubka” appeared in honor of its first owner, retired general Golubev. The mansion also gained its fame thanks to Nicholas II, at a time when he had not yet been crowned. It was in the mansion that he met the future empress, Princess Alice of Hesse-Darmstadt, who later became his wife.
And in February 1945, on his way to the Yalta Conference, Joseph Stalin himself stopped in the room where the reading room is now located. There is also a tragic history associated with the dacha; members of the former Republic of Taurida were imprisoned here. Nowadays, 18 rooms house the Central City Library named after S.N. Sergeev-Tsensky, which owns a small but interesting collection of paintings.
Temple of the Archangel Michael
And again we return to the temples. In Alupka there is one of the oldest temples on the entire Crimean peninsula.
It was built in 1908. The same sad fate awaited him as all churches during Soviet times - the temple was looted. It was restored only in 1991, at which time worship services were resumed here.
The temple amazes with its beauty and construction. His style is Russian-Byzantine. Reminiscent of the temples that once adorned Constantinople.
Another interesting fact is that before the construction of the temple there was a church of Count Vorontsov. Therefore, the place is considered by pilgrims to be prayed for and holy.
Address: Alupka, st. Lenina 4. You can get there by any minibus that runs around Alupka. Stop: "City Council". The cafe nearby is the Central Cafe, right on Lenin Square. It has already been mentioned above.
Holidays in Crimea will give you an unforgettable experience and you will want to come back here again, find out more about the peninsula. Koktebel invites tourists to look at the splendor of the mountain peaks, stunning nature, as well as the attractions of the resort, find out all the necessary information.
Glade of Fairy Tales in Yalta is a unique opportunity to plunge into childhood, fairy-tale characters are waiting for their guests, details on this page.
Attractions in the vicinity of Alupka
When choosing a resort for a vacation, a significant part of tourists pay attention to what they can see in Alupka and the surrounding area on their own. The seaside town is surrounded by picturesque nature, some corners of which deserve special attention.
Such places in the vicinity of Alupka include:
- Wuchang-Su waterfall. The highest waterfall in Crimea, located on the mountain river of the same name. Its height reaches 100 m. The full power of Wuchang-Su can be felt in the spring. During this period, it is maximally filled with melt water. In summer the waterfall dries up. On the upper terrace of the waterfall there is a statue of an eagle.
- Mount Ai-Petri. The peak is located at an altitude of 1234 m above sea level. Ai-Petri is one of the attractions of Crimea, which can be considered the hallmark of the peninsula. It is famous for its caves, three waterfalls and the magnificent panoramic view that opens from the observation deck located at its top.
- Mount Shaan-Kaya. Rock, 871 m high above sea level. It is very popular among fans of mountaineering and skydiving. Climbing it is considered a difficult task. Not everyone can cope with it. Near Shaan-Kaya there is a picturesque freshwater lake fed by underground springs.
From what you can see in Alupka, the sights of Simeiz. This resort village is located in close proximity to Alupka. Most people vacationing at the resort like to visit the Simeiz water park. It is located right behind Alupka. Its peculiarity is that sea water, not fresh water, is used to fill the pools. The water park has water slides for adults and children, a bungee jump and a beach volleyball court.
The Naryshkin estate is a family estate
- Address: Alupkinskoe highway, 15b.
The ancient building, built at the beginning of the 19th century, is perfectly preserved and is available to tourists in almost its original form. The walls of the mansion have seen the fates of entire generations and probably keep many family secrets. From the outside, the estate looks like a fairytale castle, so against the backdrop of the estate you get incredibly beautiful photos; a more detailed description of the Alupka attraction can also be found on our website.
Interesting places in Alupka are unique and varied. Even a whole vacation is not enough to travel around and see them all, so vacationers return to the town again and again!
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Ecology
The last 30 years have significantly affected the state of the peninsula in general and Alupka in particular.
The consumer attitude towards natural resources, landscape and architectural heritage has borne fruit: at the moment there is land squatting, almost complete privatization of land suitable for habitation, a ban on the general use of some sections of beaches and limited access to some cultural sites of Crimea.
Particularly noteworthy is the increased development of residential complexes and private buildings on lands related to cultural heritage or coastal areas. Green spaces are mercilessly cut down, open landscape views are built over and lose their postcard appearance.
This is especially true for the Alupka park and palace ensemble, in which panoramic views have completely disappeared as a result of development. A similar fate also affected the Nikitsky Botanical Garden, Bear Mountain and the Miskhor park area.
Similarity of weather conditions
If Alupka has a different history from its neighbors, then the weather in this section of the South Coast is the same as in Yalta, Simeiz, and Alupka. Along the entire coast, where the mountains come close to the seashore, there is a dry subtropical climate.
In winter it is damp and slushy, in summer it is warm and pleasant. The mountains protect a narrow strip of coast from the northern icy winds, so snow is rare. And in summer the heat within +30 is softened by a light breeze.
The slope of the seashore is steep. A few meters and it will hide a person completely. Because of this, the water does not warm up even in July-August above +22+24. If it’s stormy, you won’t be able to sit on the beach: the Black Sea waves completely cover the narrow strip of shore.
Shaan-Kaya Rock
871 meters height of the Shaan-Kaya rock. Due to the negative slope, many climbers and rope jumpers want to visit it. A route of high complexity was laid here, so competitions with participants from all over the world are held very often.
Even without rock climbing experience, you can climb the rock from the northern slope. There it is gentle and there is a special path along which even a horse rider can travel.
Leisure
Adventure lovers have plenty to explore. Because there are simply a huge number of offers. Excursions, travel, walks. Everything is nearby:
- Diving. Not far from Alupka, in Miskhor, there is a diving center where children and adults are taught scuba diving. By the way, with a trip to dive points, including a flooded scientific station in the waters of Alupka, the caves of Cape Ai-Todor. More details by phone: 89787808706;
- Horseback riding along the expanses of the Alupka coast. Phone number for inquiries: 89789334484;
- Bicycle rental in Alupka Park. Phone: 89789334484;
Where to go with children?
Children of all ages will definitely enjoy a trip to Ai-Petri. The cable car, a beautiful view and the opportunity to have a picnic at the top or have a delicious meal in a cafe will give you impressions for a long time.
After sightseeing, you can go to neighboring Yalta, where you can visit the water park and zoo. Walking around the zoo will take you half a day because it is very big! Here you can feed the animals, and even play with some of them. Or maybe you want to see an exciting performance? Then the dolphins and fur seals of the Yalta Dolphinarium are waiting for you.
A quiet walk is possible in Vorontsovsky Park, where a quiet, cool evening will make your baby sleep peacefully all night.
